GNU Info

(grub.info)Installing GRUB natively

---

Next: Installing GRUB using grub-install Prev: Creating a GRUB boot floppy Up: Installation

---

Enter node , (file) or (file)node

Installing GRUB natively
========================

   *Caution:* Installing GRUB's stage1 in this manner will erase the
normal boot-sector used by an OS.

   GRUB can currently boot GNU Mach, Linux, FreeBSD, NetBSD, and OpenBSD
directly, so using it on a boot sector should be okay. But generally, it
would be a good idea to back up the first sector of the partition on
which you are installing GRUB's stage1. This isn't as important if you
are installing GRUB on the first sector of a hard disk, since it's easy
to reinitialize it (e.g. by running `FDISK /MBR' from DOS).

   If you decide to install GRUB in the native environment, which is
definitely desirable, you'll need to create the GRUB boot disk, and
reboot your computer with it. Otherwise, see Note: Installing GRUB
using grub-install, for more details.

   Once started, GRUB will show the command-line interface (Note:
Command-line interface). First, set the GRUB's "root device"(1)
(Note: Installing GRUB natively-Footnote-1) to the boot directory,
like this:

     grub> root (hd0,0)

   If you are not sure which partition actually holds these files, use
the command `find' (Note: find), like this:

     grub> find /boot/grub/stage1

   This will search for the file name `/boot/grub/stage1' and show the
devices which contain the file.

   Once you've set the root device correctly, run the command `setup'
(Note: setup):

     grub> setup (hd0)

   This command will install GRUB on the MBR in the first drive. If you
want to install GRUB into the "boot sector" of a partition instead of
the MBR, specify a partition into which you want to install GRUB:

     grub> setup (hd0,0)

   If you install GRUB into a partition or a drive other than the first
one, you must chain-load GRUB from another boot loader. Refer to the
manual for the boot loader to know how to chain-load GRUB.

   Now you can boot GRUB without a GRUB floppy. See the chapter Note:
Booting to find out how to boot your operating systems from GRUB.